Alberta flood crisis shows need for teleworking

Non-essential commutes replaced with technology

A high view of the flooding at Bow River shows a closed bridge and water covered an island next to the downtown core, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada June 22, 2013.

Photograph by: Dave Buston
, AFP/Getty Images

The flood crisis that has forced the closure of many Calgary businesses is a wake-up call for companies to adopt flexible work arrangements, say telework advocates.

"Having employees well practised and equipped to work from home, or telework, is an excellent business continuity strategy," said Dr. Laura Hambley, Calgary-based industrial/organizational psychologist with The Leadership Store.

"In fact, it should be a key component of such plans whenever possible."

Companies that have flexible work policies in place can seamlessly, and safely, work through natural disasters without losing productivity, she said, while those without a mobile work plan will face challenges.

"Having everyone work from home will feel very unnatural

and managers will likely not know how to properly lead and communicate with their team when working remotely all of a sudden," said Hambley.

Robyn Bews, director of the WORKshift program for Calgary Economic Development, said remote work is not necessarily always about employee satisfaction.

"Many consider it a key component of their business continuity plan which is something that most managers don't need to think about until a crisis," she said.

"Companies that have a WORK-shift culture built into their DNA will likely have found it much easier to continue to service their business and customers this week."

Remote work doesn't have to mean working from home, said Bews, adding many coffee shops have become mobile offices.

"I am hopeful this event changes the way people start to think about where and when they work," she said.

"It is certainly a chance for companies and employees to start to change our habits; more cycling, more remote work. We are already seeing it."

Bews said that when Mayor Naheed Nenshi and civic leaders asked people to stay home this week they weren't suggesting people don't work.

"They are asking us to reconsider non-essential commutes that can be replaced with the technology that we are mostly already equipped with," she said.

"Downtown Calgary is a huge knowledge economy. Very little is made or manufactured in downtown Calgary. We produce ideas which is something that can be done from places outside of the traditional office building."

Meanwhile, Regus Canada announced fully operational and furnished workspaces, including telephones, fax machines and high-speed Internet access are available now for free in Regus Business Lounges throughout Calgary.

Regus has instituted a disaster recovery task force, which has been fielding calls to help businesses and other organizations in need to get up and running immediately.

A high view of the flooding at Bow River shows a closed bridge and water covered an island next to the downtown core, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada June 22, 2013.

Photograph by: Dave Buston, AFP/Getty Images

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